X Games Aspen Celebrates 25 Years of Adrenaline and Innovation in Winter Sports
Source: X Games
Reported By: Matthew Kennedy
May 19th, 2025 – As Aspen Snowmass prepares to host one of winter’s most defining spectacles, the X Games is marking a milestone worth pausing for—25 years of gravity-defying feats, genre-defining moments, and a cultural shift that helped elevate action sports into a global phenomenon. From January 23 to 25, 2026, X Games Aspen will return to Buttermilk Mountain for its silver anniversary, underscoring a legacy that has not only endured but continually raised the bar.
The 2026 event will bring together the world’s elite ski and snowboard athletes for a weekend of fierce competition, innovation, and entertainment. Men’s and women’s events will showcase top talent across multiple disciplines—where 720s and 1080s are just the warm-up, and 2340s are now part of the new normal.
25 Years on the Mountain: A Legacy Etched in Ice
Since first arriving at Buttermilk Mountain in 2002, the X Games has become synonymous with Aspen’s winter identity. The location offers more than altitude and fresh powder—it brings an energy that fuses sport, music, and culture into a weekend that is part competition, part celebration.
“For 25 years Aspen's been where winter sports legends are made and boundaries are unlimited. We're hyped to keep building on this legacy and bring X Games fans and athletes together for another unforgettable experience in 2026.”
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games
That history was punctuated in 2025 by groundbreaking performances: Hiroto Ogiwara and Miro Tabanelli landed the first-ever 2340s in Snowboard and Ski Big Air competition, respectively. It was a moment that epitomized what X Games Aspen has always stood for—pushing limits, then redefining them.
The Elevation of Experience
Beyond the competition, X Games Aspen 2026 will again include live music performances, high-energy entertainment, and hospitality offerings designed for a range of audiences—from longtime fans to luxury-seeking spectators. General admission remains accessible, while upgraded viewing options and VIP experiences will cater to those looking for something beyond the slopes.
Ticketing and music lineup announcements are expected in the coming months, but early access is available via the official ticket waitlist at xgames.com. As always, demand is expected to run high for what’s shaping up to be one of the most significant events on the winter sports calendar.
John Rigney, SVP of Business Development at Aspen One, noted the strength of the long-standing partnership:
“X Games is the gold standard of action sports, and years of exemplary partnership have defined our storied history together, as well as our mutual commitment to innovation in snow sports and excellence in elevating athletes who continue to break boundaries and raise the bar.”
John Rigney, SVP of Business Development at Aspen One
Looking Back, Leaping Forward
While the 2026 X Games will undoubtedly be filled with jaw-dropping runs and chart-topping acts, it also represents a moment of reflection. A quarter-century of growth has seen the event transform from niche spectacle into a global benchmark for performance and creativity in extreme sports. And yet, even as it honors its past, the X Games continues to innovate—showcasing new talent, embracing evolving formats, and setting the pace for the next generation of athletes.
At Buttermilk Mountain this January, it’s not just about what’s coming next—it’s about how far this cultural cornerstone has already come. And in true X Games fashion, the only way to honor 25 years of defying gravity is to keep soaring higher.